HSBC Holdings plc 1Q19 Earnings Release

Released 07:00 03-May-2019

RNS Number : 9606X

HSBC Holdings PLC

03 May 2019

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

1Q19 EARNINGS RELEASE - HIGHLIGHTS

John Flint, Group Chief Executive, said:

"These are an encouraging set of results, particularly in the context of heightened economic uncertainty globally. We remain focused on executing the strategy we outlined last June, while also being alert to risks in the global economy."

• Reported operating expenses down 12%. Adjusted operating expenses up 3.2% in 1Q19, which has slowed from 5.6% at FY18 (compared with FY17). Returned to positive adjusted jaws of 6.0%, supported by favourable markets-related movements and disposal gains in Latin America.

• Earnings per share of 21 cents, up 40%. Return on tangible equity (annualised) up 220bps to 10.6%.

• Common equity tier 1 ('CET1') ratio up 30bps from 31 December 2018 to 14.3%, including a 7bps adverse impact of IFRS 16. We are committed to the discipline of scrip neutralisation and will announce our decision on 2019 share buybacks at the half-year.

• Investments of $1.0bn in 1Q19, up 15% compared with 1Q18, on near- and medium-term initiatives to grow the business and enhance our digital capabilities.

• Revenue growth from our international network, with transaction banking revenue up 9% compared with 1Q18.

• US turnaround progressing, but this remains our most challenging strategic priority. In 1Q19, we increased retail customer numbers and continued to capitalise on our international network, despite the softening rate environment.

We use adjusted performance to understand the underlying trends in the business. The main differences between reported and adjusted figures are foreign currency translation and significant items, which include litigation and regulatory items.

Capital and balance sheet

At

31 Mar

31 Dec

2019

2018

Footnotes

%

%

Common equity tier 1 ratio

1

14.3

14.0

Leverage ratio

1

5.4

5.5

$m

$m

Loans and advances to customers

1,005,279

981,696

Customer accounts

1,356,511

1,362,643

Loans and advances to customers as a percentage of customer accounts

74.1%

72.0%

Risk-weighted assets

1

879,485

865,318

1 The Group has adopted the EU's regulatory transitional arrangements for IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'. These apply to reported and adjusted RWAs, regulatory capital and related ratios throughout this 1Q19 Earnings Release, unless otherwise stated.

- Reconciliation of capital with and without IFRS 9 transitional arrangements

2

Capital

2

First interim dividend for 2019

2

Leverage

2

Terms and abbreviations

2

HSBC Holdings plc will be conducting a trading update conference call with analysts and investors today to coincide with the publication of its Earnings Release. The call will take place at 07.30am BST. Details of how to participate in the call and the live audio webcast can be found at www.hsbc.com/investors.

Note to editors

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in
66 countries and territories in our geographical regions: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of $2,659bn at 31 March 2019, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

Review by John Flint, Group Chief Executive

We have made a good start to 2019. Reported profit after tax was up significantly on 1Q18, thanks largely to strong revenue growth in our Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Commercial Banking businesses, and favourable movements in significant items. Return on tangible equity - our headline measure - was up considerably on the same period last year, and we delivered positive adjusted jaws over the quarter.

Our three main global businesses performed well. Retail Banking and Wealth Management generated a significant increase in adjusted revenue on the back of higher lending and deposit balances, notably in the UK and Hong Kong, and from positive market impacts in insurance manufacturing. Commercial Banking delivered a double-digit increase in adjusted revenue, owing mainly to our continued strength in transaction banking, with growth across all regions. Global Banking and Markets adjusted revenue was up relative to a strong first quarter last year, with favourable movements on credit and funding valuation adjustments and growth in transaction banking more than offsetting the impact of economic uncertainty on our Global Banking, equities and fixed income businesses.

These are an encouraging set of results, and we remain focused on executing the strategy we outlined last June. At the same time, we remain alert to risks in the global economy. We are proactively managing costs and investment in line with this more uncertain outlook, and will continue to do so.

Adjusted performance

Adjusted performance is computed by adjusting reported results for the effects of foreign currency translation differences and significant items, which both distort period-on-period comparisons.

We consider adjusted performance to provide useful information for investors by aligning internal and external reporting, identifying and quantifying items management believes to be significant, and providing insight into how management assesses period-on-period performance.

Foreign currency translation differences

Foreign currency translation differences reflect the movements of the US dollar against most major currencies. We exclude them to derive constant currency data, allowing us to assess balance sheet and income statement performance on a like-for-like basis and better understand the underlying trends in the business.

Foreign currency translation differences

Foreign currency translation differences for 1Q19 are computed by retranslating into US dollars for non-US dollar branches, subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates:

• the income statements for 4Q18 and 1Q18 at the average rates of exchange for 1Q19; and

• the closing prior period balance sheets at the prevailing rates of exchange on 31 March 2019.

No adjustment has been made to the exchange rates used to translate foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities into the functional currencies of any HSBC branches, subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates. The constant currency data of HSBC's Argentinian subsidiaries has not been adjusted further for the impacts of hyperinflation. When reference is made to foreign currency translation differences in tables or commentaries, comparative data reported in the functional currencies of HSBC's operations have been translated at the appropriate exchange rates applied in the current period on the basis described above.

Significant items

'Significant items' refers collectively to the items that management and investors would ordinarily identify and consider separately to understand better the underlying trends in the business.

The tables on pages 33 to 41 detail the effects of significant items on each of our global business segments and geographical regions during 1Q19, 4Q18 and 1Q18.

The foreign currency translation differences related to significant items are presented as a separate component of significant items. This is considered a more meaningful presentation as it allows better comparison of period-on-period movements in performance.

Global business performance

The Group Chief Executive, supported by the rest of the Group Management Board ('GMB'), is considered to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM') for the purposes of identifying the Group's reportable segments.

The Group Chief Executive and the rest of the GMB review operating activity on a number of bases, including by global business and geographical region. Global businesses are our reportable segments under IFRS 8 'Operating Segments'. Global business results are assessed by the CODM on the basis of adjusted performance, which removes the effects of significant items and currency translation from reported results. We therefore present these results on an adjusted basis as required by IFRSs.

A reconciliation of the Group's adjusted results to the Group's reported results is presented on page 4. Supplementary reconciliations of adjusted to reported results by global business are presented on pages 33 to 35 for information purposes.

Management view of adjusted revenue

Our global business segment commentary includes tables that provide breakdowns of adjusted revenue by major product. These reflect the basis on which revenue performance of the businesses is assessed and managed.

2 Comprises costs associated with preparations for the UK's exit from the European Union, costs to establish the UK ring-fenced bank (including the UK ServCo group) and costs associated with establishing an intermediate holding company in Hong Kong.

Financial performance commentary

Distribution of results by global business

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax

Retail Banking and Wealth Management

2,231

1,354

1,876

Commercial Banking

2,016

1,676

2,030

Global Banking and Markets

1,639

704

1,640

Global Private Banking

98

60

111

Corporate Centre

366

(379

)

143

Total

6,350

3,415

5,800

Distribution of results by geographical region

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

Reported profit/(loss) before tax

Europe

(14

)

(1,559

)

(18

)

Asia

5,006

3,951

4,768

Middle East and North Africa

465

399

437

North America

379

290

(596

)

Latin America

377

175

164

Total

6,213

3,256

4,755

Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax

Europe

69

(1,402

)

134

Asia

5,040

3,974

4,662

Middle East and North Africa

466

401

431

North America

388

294

426

Latin America

387

148

147

Total

6,350

3,415

5,800

Tables showing adjusted profit before tax by global business and region are presented to support the commentary on adjusted performance on the following pages.

The tables on pages 33 to 41 reconcile reported to adjusted results for each of our global business segments and geographical regions.

Group

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - reported results

Movement in reported profit before tax compared with 1Q18

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

$m

$m

$m

%

Revenue

14,428

13,710

718

5

ECL

(585

)

(170

)

(415

)

>(100)

Operating expenses

(8,222

)

(9,383

)

1,161

12

Share of profit from associates and JVs

592

598

(6

)

(1

)

Profit before tax

6,213

4,755

1,458

31

Reported profit before tax

Reported profit before tax of $6.2bn in 1Q19 was $1.5bn or 31% higher than in 1Q18. This increase reflected higher revenue in RBWM due to balance sheet growth and wider margins in Retail Banking, and in CMB due to growth in Global Liquidity and Cash Management ('GLCM') and Credit and Lending ('C&L'). Revenue growth included the favourable effects of market impacts in insurance manufacturing, credit and funding valuation adjustments in GB&M and the non-recurrence of a 1Q18 adverse swap mark-to-market loss on a bond reclassification in Corporate Centre. Growth also included 1Q19 disposal gains in RBWM and CMB of $157m.

Operating expenses were $1.2bn lower, reflecting net favourable movements in significant items, notably as 1Q18 included a charge of $0.9bn for settlements and provisions in connection with legal and regulatory matters. This was partly offset by an increase in expenditure on investments to grow the business, including enhancements of digital capabilities. In addition, expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges ('ECL') increased, notably in CMB in the UK and Asia.

Reported ECL of $0.6bn were $0.4bn higher than in 1Q18, notably in CMB, reflecting charges in 1Q19, compared with net releases in 1Q18. In addition, there were lower net ECL releases in Corporate Centre in 1Q19.

The effect of foreign currency translation differences between the periods was minimal.

Reported operating expenses

Reported operating expenses of $8.2bn were $1.2bn or 12% lower than in 1Q18. This primarily reflected a favourable effect of foreign currency translation differences of $0.4bn and net favourable movements in significant items of $1.0bn, which included the non-recurrence of settlements and provisions in connection with legal and regulatory matters of $0.9bn in 1Q18. These favourable movements were partly offset by an increase in operating expenses from near- and medium-term investments to grow the business, together with higher performance-related pay.

On an adjusted basis, profit before tax of $6.4bn was $0.6bn or 9% higher than in 1Q18.

From 1 July 2018, Argentina was deemed a hyperinflationary economy for accounting purposes. The impact of applying IAS 29 'Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies' from 1 July 2018 and presenting in accordance with IAS 21 'The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates' resulted in a $50m decrease in profit before tax in 1Q19. The effects of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina have not been deemed a significant item and are therefore included within adjusted results.

Adjusted revenue

Adjusted revenue of $14.4bn was $1.2bn or 9% higher than in 1Q18, reflecting continued growth momentum in RBWM and CMB, notably in Asia. Revenue increased in GB&M, while in GPB revenue fell. We also recorded a net favourable movement in revenue in Corporate Centre.

• In RBWM, revenue increased by $0.5bn or 10%, mainly in Retail Banking, reflecting growth in lending and deposit balances, primarily in the UK and Hong Kong, and wider margins resulting from interest rate rises. In Wealth Management, revenue growth was mainly due to favourable market impacts in 1Q19 of $181m in insurance manufacturing (1Q18: $40m adverse), partly offset by lower investment distribution revenue compared with a strong 1Q18.

• In CMB, revenue increased by $0.4bn or 11%, primarily in GLCM as we benefited from wider deposit margins, notably in Hong Kong and the UK, as well as growth in average balances in the UK. In addition, revenue increased in C&L due to balance sheet growth, partly offset by the effects of margin compression. Revenue growth in Global Trade and Receivables Finance ('GTRF') was due to improved margins and higher fees.

• In GB&M, revenue increased by $0.1bn or 3% and included a net favourable movement on credit and funding valuation adjustments. Revenue increases in GLCM and Securities Services were driven by the impact of higher interest rates and average balance growth. Revenue also increased in GTRF, primarily in MENA and Asia, as we grew average lending balances. In Global Banking, revenue fell as 1Q18 included gains on corporate lending restructuring, while in Global Markets, revenue was down due to reduced client activity, driven by market uncertainty, partly offset by a provision release of $106m in Equities.

• In GPB, revenue decreased by $17m or 4%, primarily in the US, reflecting the impact of our repositioning actions and lower investment revenue in Switzerland. This was partly offset by an increase in Asia from growth in deposit revenue and annuity fees, partly offset by lower brokerage and trading revenue.

• In Corporate Centre, we recorded a net favourable movement in revenue of $0.2bn. This primarily reflected higher revenue in Central Treasury, mainly as 1Q18 included a $177m loss arising from swap mark-to-market movements following a bond reclassification under IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'. This was partly offset by the adverse effects of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina of $56m.

Adjusted ECL

Adjusted ECL of $0.6bn were $0.4bn higher, driven by a small number of individual corporate exposures, mainly in the UK. There was no material change in the quarter to allowances relating to economic uncertainty in the UK.

The ECL variance was driven by:

• CMB (up $0.3bn), mainly in HSBC UK, our UK ring-fenced bank, from charges related to a small number of customers, and an allowance to reflect current economic uncertainty in the UK. ECL were also higher in Asia, reflecting higher specific charges in various sectors in 1Q19 compared with net releases in 1Q18; and

Adjusted ECL in RBWM, GB&M and GPB were broadly in line with charges in 1Q18.

In 1Q19, adjusted ECL as a percentage of average gross loans and advances to customers was 0.24%, compared with 0.07% at 1Q18.

Adjusted operating expenses

Adjusted operating expenses of $8.1bn were $0.2bn or 3% higher than in 1Q18. This included an increase in investments (up $0.1bn), notably from near- and medium-term investments to grow the business, mainly in RBWM and CMB, and continued investment in digital across all global businesses. In addition, performance-related pay increased by $0.1bn.

Adjusted share of profit from associates and JVs

Adjusted income from associates of $0.6bn was $22m or 4% higher than in 1Q18, mainly reflecting an increase in share of income from Bank of Communications Co., Limited ('BoCom').

Tax expense

The effective tax rate for 1Q19 of 21.0% was lower than 21.4% in 1Q18, as 1Q18 contained a non-deductible regulatory settlement. The impact of this was partly offset by the effect of changes in profit mix and adjustments in respect of prior periods.

First interim dividend for 2019

On 3 May 2019, the Board announced a first interim dividend for 2019 of $0.10 per ordinary share. Further details are set out at the end of this release.

Retail Banking and Wealth Management

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - adjusted results

Management view of adjusted revenue

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

Retail Banking

3,870

3,944

3,494

376

11

- current accounts, savings and deposits

2,197

2,328

1,786

411

23

- personal lending

1,673

1,616

1,708

(35

)

(2

)

mortgages

433

418

551

(118

)

(21

)

credit cards

789

723

694

95

14

other personal lending

1

451

475

463

(12

)

(3

)

Wealth Management

1,907

1,129

1,768

139

8

- investment distribution

2

855

673

1,019

(164

)

(16

)

- life insurance manufacturing

793

207

479

314

66

- asset management

259

249

270

(11

)

(4

)

Other

3

194

62

181

13

7

Net operating income

4

5,971

5,135

5,443

528

10

RoTE excluding significant items and UK bank levy (annualised) (%)

22.1

-

23.1

For footnotes, see page 13.

Adjusted profit before tax of $2.2bn was $0.4bn or 19% higher than in 1Q18. This increase reflected a strong revenue performance in Retail Banking due to balance sheet growth and the impact of interest rates on margins. The increase also included favourable market impacts in life insurance manufacturing, as well as disposal gains in Argentina and Mexico. This was partly offset by higher operating expenses.

Adjusted revenue of $6.0bn was $0.5bn or 10% higher.

In Retail Banking, revenue of $3.9bn was up $0.4bn or 11%. The increase reflected deposit balance growth of $20bn or 3%, particularly in the UK and Hong Kong, and lending balance growth of $30bn or 9% compared with 1Q18, notably in mortgages in the UK and Hong Kong, together with improved deposit margins from higher interest rates.

In Wealth Management, revenue of $1.9bn was up $0.1bn or 8%, reflecting:

• higher life insurance manufacturing revenue (up $0.3bn or 66%), mostly from net favourable market impacts of $0.2bn (favourable movement of $181m in 1Q19, compared with an adverse movement of $40m in 1Q18), and the growth in value of new business written (up 23% to $366m).

This was partly offset by:

• lower investment distribution revenue (down $0.2bn or 16%), as exceptional market conditions in Asia in 1Q18 did not recur in 1Q19.

Revenue in 1Q19 also included disposal gains in Argentina and Mexico of $133m.

Adjusted ECL were $0.3bn, up 4% from 1Q18, driven by growth in unsecured lending, although credit quality remained stable across the loan portfolio at 33 basis points of average gross loans and advances to customers.

Adjusted operating expenses of $3.5bn were $0.2bn or 5% higher. These were mainly driven by increased staff costs and inflation, particularly in Asia, and the impact of strategic investment in growth initiatives. During 1Q19, we added additional staff to support business growth initiatives, and continued to enhance our technology and digital capabilities. We also continued to invest in regulatory and compliance programmes.

Commercial Banking

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - adjusted results

Management view of adjusted revenue

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

Global Trade and Receivables Finance

473

457

448

25

6

Credit and Lending

1,360

1,339

1,262

98

8

Global Liquidity and Cash Management

1,508

1,534

1,292

216

17

Markets products, Insurance and Investments, and Other

5

580

385

533

47

9

Net operating income

4

3,921

3,715

3,535

386

11

RoTE excluding significant items and UK bank levy (annualised) (%)

13.9

-

15.5

For footnotes, see page 13.

Adjusted profit before tax of $2.0bn was $14m or 1% lower than in 1Q18. Broad-based revenue growth reflected favourable performance in GLCM, C&L and GTRF. This increase was more than offset by an ECL charge in 1Q19 compared with a net release in 1Q18, notably in the UK, and higher operating expenses from increased investment.

Adjusted revenue of $3.9bn was $0.4bn or 11% higher, with growth in all major products and in all regions.

• In GLCM, revenue was $0.2bn or 17% higher, with growth in all regions. The increase was mainly in Hong Kong from wider margins, and in the UK reflecting wider margins and average balance sheet growth. In C&L, revenue growth of $0.1bn or 8% reflected balance sheet growth in most countries, partly offset by the effects of margin compression. In addition, revenue increased in GTRF by $25m or 6%, reflecting higher margins in Asia, higher balances in the UK and fee growth in MENA. Revenue was also higher in Other products, notably from a disposal gain of $24m in Latin America.

• CMB revenue growth continued to be broadly based, with increases in our largest markets - Hong Kong (8%) and the UK (6%), and also in the rest of Asia and Europe, MENA, Latin America and North America.

Adjusted ECL were $0.2bn compared with net releases of $0.1bn in 1Q18. The increase was driven by higher ECL in HSBC UK relating to a small number of clients and an increase in allowances reflecting current economic uncertainty in the UK. ECL were also higher in Asia from higher specific charges in Hong Kong and mainland China across various sectors.

Adjusted operating expenses of $1.7bn were $0.1bn or 5% higher, reflecting increased investment-related spend and higher staff costs. This includes a continued increase in investment in our digital capabilities (up $0.1bn), enabling us to provide simpler and faster customer experience.

Global Banking and Markets

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - adjusted results

Management view of adjusted revenue

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

Global Markets

1,741

1,108

1,833

(92

)

(5

)

- FICC

1,364

891

1,422

(58

)

(4

)

Foreign Exchange

698

607

718

(20

)

(3

)

Rates

490

210

455

35

8

Credit

176

74

249

(73

)

(29

)

- Equities

377

217

411

(34

)

(8

)

Securities Services

478

488

463

15

3

Global Banking

935

943

1,026

(91

)

(9

)

Global Liquidity and Cash Management

687

684

610

77

13

Global Trade and Receivables Finance

211

199

189

22

12

Principal Investments

84

(61

)

70

14

20

Credit and funding valuation adjustments

6

47

(179

)

(61

)

108

>100

Other

7

(115

)

(99

)

(176

)

61

35

Net operating income

4

4,068

3,083

3,954

114

3

RoTE excluding significant items and UK bank levy (annualised) (%)

11.3

-

11.9

For footnotes, see page 13.

Adjusted profit before tax of $1.6bn was broadly unchanged from 1Q18 as increased revenue was offset by continued investment in the business. The strength of our diversified product offering delivered a stable performance, despite economic uncertainty that resulted in lower primary issuance and market activity.

Adjusted revenue of $4.1bn was $0.1bn or 3% higher, and included a net favourable movement of $0.1bn on credit and funding valuation adjustments. 1Q19 also included a provision release in Equities, which was broadly equal to 1Q18 restructuring gains in Global Banking.

• We grew revenue across our transaction banking products. GLCM rose by $0.1bn or 13% and Securities Services by $15m or 3%, driven by the impact of higher interest rates and increased average balances. GTRF revenue (up $22m or 12%) was higher, primarily in MENA and Asia, as we grew average lending balances while reducing risk-weighted assets.

• Global Markets revenue decreased by $0.1bn or 5%, due to reduced client activity, particularly in Credit and Equities, partly offset by a provision release of $106m in Equities.

Adjusted ECL were $40m, up $23m. The charge in 1Q19 largely related to a single corporate exposure in the UK.

Adjusted operating expenses of $2.4bn were $0.1bn or 4% higher, driven by investment in people to support growth across our businesses, and in our Chinese securities joint venture HSBC Qianhai, as well as higher performance-related pay.

Global Private Banking

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - adjusted results

Management view of adjusted revenue

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

Investment revenue

184

162

204

(20

)

(10

)

Lending

97

93

100

(3

)

(3

)

Deposit

121

126

120

1

1

Other

48

44

43

5

12

Net operating income

4

450

425

467

(17

)

(4

)

RoTE excluding significant items and UK bank levy (annualised) (%)

10.9

-

12.3

For footnotes, see page 13.

Adjusted profit before tax of $98m fell $13m or 12% compared with 1Q18, largely due to the impact of our repositioning actions in the US, partly offset by lower operating expenses, despite continued investment in growth.

Adjusted revenue of $450m decreased by $17m or 4%, mainly in the US following repositioning actions, and lower revenue in Switzerland. This was partly offset by revenue growth in Asia.

Investment revenue was $20m or 10% lower, mainly in Switzerland and Asia from lower client activity, partly offset by higher annuity fees in Asia. Deposit revenue was broadly unchanged from 1Q18 as growth in Asia from wider margins and balance growth was offset by lower revenue in the US following the client exits mentioned above, together with margin compression.

In 1Q19, we attracted $10bn of net new money inflows, mainly in Asia and Europe.

Adjusted ECL were $2m, mainly in the UK. This compared with a net release of $3m in 1Q18, mainly in the US.

Adjusted operating expenses of $350m were $9m or 3% lower. This was mainly due to the partial release of a provision associated with the wind-down of our operations in Monaco. This reduction was partly offset by an increase in Asia, driven by investments to support business growth.

Corporate Centre8

1Q19 compared with 1Q18 - adjusted results

Management view of adjusted revenue

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

Variance

2019

2018

2018

1Q19 vs. 1Q18

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

Central Treasury

9

326

304

(21

)

347

>100

Legacy portfolios

(71

)

(12

)

4

(75

)

>(100)

Other

10

(259

)

(9

)

(186

)

(73

)

(39

)

Net operating income

4

(4

)

283

(203

)

199

98

RoTE excluding significant items and UK bank levy (annualised) (%)

(6.7

)

-

(2.5

)

For footnotes, see page 13.

Adjusted profit before tax of $0.4bn was $0.2bn higher than in 1Q18.

Adjusted negative revenue of $4m compared with adjusted negative revenue of $0.2bn in 1Q18. This reflected higher revenue in
Central Treasury, partly offset by a revenue reduction in legacy portfolios and Other.

In Central Treasury, revenue of $326m compared with negative revenue of $21m in 1Q18 and included:

• the non-recurrence of a $177m loss arising from adverse swap mark-to-market movements following a bond reclassification under IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' in 1Q18;

• favourable fair value movements of $50m in 1Q19, compared with adverse movements of $64m in 1Q18, relating to the economic hedging of interest rate and exchange rate risk on our long-term debt with long-term derivatives; and

Other income decreased by $0.1bn, mainly due to the adverse effects of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina, and also due to a change in the allocation of liquidity costs in anticipation of a change in the regulatory environment relating to the net stable funding ratio.

A net release of adjusted ECL of $6m primarily related to our legacy portfolios. This compared with a net release of $84m in 1Q18.

Adjusted operating expenses of $0.2bn decreased by $0.1bn or 30%, mainly as 1Q18 included a $41m charge in relation to the 2017 UK bank levy. In addition, costs relating to our legacy portfolios reduced compared with 1Q18.

Adjusted income from associates of $0.6bn increased by $12m or 2%, driven by higher income from BoCom.

Group

1Q19 compared with 4Q18 - reported results

Movement in reported profit before tax compared with 4Q18

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

Variance

2019

2018

1Q19 vs. 4Q18

$m

$m

$m

%

Revenue

14,428

12,695

1,733

14

ECL

(585

)

(853

)

268

31

Operating expenses

(8,222

)

(9,144

)

922

10

Share of profit from associates and JVs

592

558

34

6

Profit before tax

6,213

3,256

2,957

91

Reported profit before tax

Reported profit before tax of $6.2bn in 1Q19 was $3.0bn or 91% higher than in 4Q18, reflecting higher revenue and lower operating expenses, primarily as 4Q18 included the UK bank levy charge. ECL were also lower, as 4Q18 included allowances relating to the economic uncertainty in the UK.

The effect of foreign currency translation differences and net movements in significant items between the periods was minimal.

Reported revenue

Reported revenue of $14.4bn was $1.7bn or 14% higher, which primarily reflected revenue increases in Global Markets in GB&M, and Wealth Management in RBWM. The increase in reported revenue included favourable foreign currency translation differences of $0.1bn, broadly offset by a net adverse movement in significant items of $0.1bn.

Reported ECL of $0.6bn were $0.3bn lower than in 4Q18, primarily driven by reductions in CMB, and to a lesser extent in RBWM.

The effect of foreign currency translation differences between the periods was minimal.

Reported operating expenses

Reported operating expenses of $8.2bn were $0.9bn or 10% lower than in 4Q18, primarily due to the UK bank levy charge of $0.9bn recorded in 4Q18. Net favourable movements in significant items of $0.1bn were broadly offset by an adverse effect of foreign currency translation differences of $0.1bn.

Significant items included:

• the non-recurrence of a provision in relation to past service costs of guaranteed minimum pension benefits equalisation of $0.2bn in 4Q18.

This was partly offset by:

• customer redress programme costs of $56m, compared with a net release of $16m in 4Q18.

On an adjusted basis, profit before tax of $6.4bn was $2.9bn or 86% higher than in 4Q18, reflecting revenue increases mainly in GB&M and RBWM. Operating expenses reduced, primarily as 4Q18 included the UK bank levy charge, and ECL were also lower.

The effect of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina reduced adjusted profit before tax by $35m.

Adjusted revenue

Adjusted revenue of $14.4bn increased by $1.8bn or 14% compared with 4Q18.

• In GB&M, revenue was $1.0bn or 32% higher, mainly in Global Markets due to a seasonal increase in client activity at the start of the calendar year compared with subdued markets activity in 4Q18. The increase also included a net favourable movement on credit and funding valuation adjustments.

• In RBWM, revenue increased by $0.8bn or 16%, driven by growth in Wealth Management, notably in insurance manufacturing revenue following a net favourable movement in market impacts. Investment distribution revenue also rose, largely due to a seasonal increase in market activity. In Retail Banking, growth in deposit and loan balances was more than offset by margin compression.

• In CMB, revenue increased by $0.2bn or 6%, driven by higher insurance income and Global Markets product revenue in Asia. In addition, higher revenue reflected favourable revaluation movements on an equity investment in the UK and a disposal gain in
Latin America. Revenue growth in GTRF and C&L was broadly offset by lower revenue in GLCM.

These increases were partly offset:

• In Corporate Centre, revenue fell by $0.3bn. This included the adverse effects of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina of $129m and the adverse effect of a change in accounting treatment following the implementation of IFRS 16 'Leases' on 1 January 2019. Revenue from our legacy portfolios also decreased, mainly driven by losses on portfolio disposals.

Adjusted ECL

Adjusted ECL of $0.6bn were $0.3bn lower, as 4Q18 included higher allowances relating to economic uncertainty in the UK, as well as charges relating to a small number of CMB customers in Asia.

Adjusted operating expenses

Adjusted operating expenses of $8.1bn were $0.9bn or 10% lower, primarily due to the UK bank levy charge of $0.9bn recorded in 4Q18. Excluding this charge, adjusted operating expenses increased by $0.1bn or 1%, mainly reflecting higher performance-related pay
(up $0.2bn) and growth in transaction volumes. These increases were partly offset by a reduction in investments of $0.2bn.

The number of employees expressed in full-time equivalent staff ('FTEs') at 31 March 2019 was 238,359, an increase of 3,141 from
31 December 2018. This was primarily driven by investments in business growth programmes across RBWM and CMB. The number of contractors as at 31 March 2019 was 10,278, a decrease of 576 from 31 December 2018.

The effect of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina reduced adjusted operating expenses by $81m.

Adjusted share of profit from associates and JVs

Adjusted share of income from associates of $0.6bn was $21m or 4% higher than in 4Q18, reflecting an increase in share of income from SABB.

Balance sheet - 31 March 2019 compared with 31 December 2018

At 31 March 2019, our total assets of $2.7tn were $100.9bn higher on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, our total assets were $86.6bn higher, reflecting targeted lending growth, notably in Asia.

Loans and advances to customers as a percentage of customer accounts were 74%, up from 72%.

Loans and advances to customers

Reported loans and advances to customers grew by $23.6bn or 2%. This included favourable effects of foreign currency translation differences of $5.9bn. On a constant currency basis, customer lending increased by $17.7bn or 2%.

Customer lending growth was primarily in Asia (up $10.1bn). This increase was notably in GPB (up $3.2bn), mainly in Hong Kong
(up $2.5bn) driven by a small number of marketable securities-backed lending transactions. Customer lending also increased in CMB
(up $2.9bn) and GB&M (up $1.3bn), reflecting higher term lending from our continued strategic focus on growth throughout Asia.
In RBWM, customer lending increased by $2.7bn, primarily in Hong Kong (up $1.7bn), maintaining a leading position in mortgages and personal lending, and in Australia (up $0.8bn), as we continued to increase mortgage lending.

In Europe, customer lending increased by $6.7bn, notably in HSBC UK (up $3.5bn) from growth in mortgage balances (up $1.6bn), due to our focus on broker-originated mortgages. We increased lending to our corporate clients within HSBC UK mainly through term lending, primarily to large corporates and commercial real estate clients. The remaining increase in Europe primarily reflected growth in France in GB&M.

Customer accounts

Customer accounts fell by $6.1bn on a reported basis, including favourable foreign currency translation differences of $7.6bn. On a constant currency basis, customer accounts fell by $13.7bn or 1%.

In Asia, customer accounts fell by $8.8bn, primarily in CMB (down $9.3bn) and GB&M (down $4.3bn). These reductions were notably in Hong Kong and mainland China, primarily in term deposits and savings accounts from ongoing remediation, seasonal outflows and as customers redeployed their surplus funds. This was partly offset by growth in RBWM (up $4.7bn), notably in Hong Kong and Australia, mainly in savings accounts, from higher customer inflows due to competitive rates.

Risk-weighted assets ('RWAs') totalled $879.5bn at 31 March 2019, a $14.2bn increase during 1Q19 that included an increase of $3.2bn due to foreign currency translation differences. The $11.0bn increase (excluding foreign currency translation differences) was primarily due to:

• lending and transactional growth across CMB, GB&M and RBWM, which increased RWAs by $10.6bn;

• the implementation of IFRS 16 'Leases', which resulted in the recognition of right of use assets totalling $4.5bn and a corresponding rise in RWAs; and

• a $1.7bn increase in RWAs as a result of an increase in the value of significant holdings in Corporate Centre.

These movements were partly offset by decreases due to management initiatives of $4.5bn, market risk reductions of $0.7bn,
model updates of $0.3bn and improved asset quality of $0.2bn.

Net interest margin

Quarter ended

Year ended

31 Mar

31 Mar

31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

Net interest income

7,468

7,456

30,489

Average interest-earning assets

1,902,912

1,812,194

1,839,346

%

%

%

Gross interest yield

2.89

2.55

2.70

Less: cost of funds

(1.53

)

(1.02

)

(1.21

)

Net interest spread

1.36

1.53

1.49

Net interest margin

1.59

1.67

1.66

The Group's net interest margin ('NIM') in 1Q19 was 1.59%, which was 7 basis points ('bps') lower compared with the year ended 2018. This was driven by a 32bps increase in the cost of funds, notably from the increased cost of customer accounts in Asia, partly offset by a 19bps increase in gross yields, driven mainly by higher yields on surplus liquidity in most regions and rising lending yields. Hyperinflation accounting in Argentina had a 1bp adverse impact in 2018, with a corresponding favourable impact in 1Q19.

The cost of funds rose by 32bps from the increased cost of customer accounts. This was driven by Asia and reflected the repricing of deposits in Hong Kong as well as a change in funding mix, with a 4bps adverse impact on Group NIM. The cost of Group debt also rose, primarily relating to the higher cost of issuances of senior debt by HSBC Holdings plc, with a 3bps adverse impact on Group NIM.

Gross yields benefited from loan book growth, in particular term lending and mortgages in Asia. Gross yields on surplus liquidity also increased in most regions, mainly on Treasury bills and debt securities. These benefits were partly offset by the adverse effect of the implementation of IFRS 16 in 1Q19 of 1bp.

Compared with 1Q18, NIM dropped by 8bps, reflecting higher cost of funds, notably from the increased cost of customer accounts in Asia. This was partly offset by higher gross yields, driven mainly by rising lending yields and increased yields on surplus liquidity.

Notes

• Income statement comparisons, unless stated otherwise, are between the quarter ended 31 March 2019 and the quarter ended
31 March 2018. Balance sheet comparisons, unless otherwise stated, are between balances at 31 March 2019 and the corresponding balances at 31 December 2018.

• The financial information on which this Earnings Release is based, and the data set out in the appendix to this statement, are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with HSBC's significant accounting policies as described on pages 224 to 237 of our Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

• The Board has adopted a policy of paying quarterly interim dividends on ordinary shares. Under this policy, it is intended to have a pattern of three equal interim dividends with a variable fourth interim dividend. Dividends are declared in US dollars and, at the election of the shareholder, paid in cash in one of, or in a combination of, US dollars, sterling and Hong Kong dollars or, subject to the Board's determination that a scrip dividend is to be offered in respect of that dividend, may be satisfied in whole or in part by the issue of new shares in lieu of a cash dividend.

From 1 January 2018, the qualifying components according to IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures' of fair value movements relating to changes in credit spreads on structured liabilities were recorded through other comprehensive income. The residual movements remain in credit and funding valuation adjustments, and comparatives have not been restated.

7

'Other' in GB&M includes allocated funding costs and gains resulting from business disposals. Within the management view of total operating income, notional tax credits are allocated to the businesses to reflect the economic benefit generated by certain activities that is not reflected within operating income, such as notional credits on income earned from tax-exempt investments where the economic benefit of the activity is reflected in tax expense. In order to reflect the total operating income on an IFRS basis, the offset to these tax credits is included within 'Other'.

Central Treasury includes revenue relating to BSM of $623m (4Q18: $637m; 1Q18: $570m), interest expense of $317m (4Q18: $340m; 1Q18: $299m) and favourable valuation differences on issued long-term debt and associated swaps of $50m (4Q18: favourable movements of $67m; 1Q18: adverse movements of $241m). Revenue relating to BSM includes other internal allocations to reflect the economic benefit generated by certain activities, which is not reflected within operating income, such as notional credits on income earned from tax-exempt investments where the economic benefit of the activity is reflected in tax expense. In order to reflect the total operating income on an IFRS basis, the offset to these tax credits is included in other Central Treasury.

10

Other miscellaneous items in Corporate Centre include internal allocations relating to legacy credit.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This Earnings Releasecontains certain forward-looking statements with respect to HSBC's financial condition, results of operations, capital position and business.

Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about HSBC's beliefs, targets and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'targets', 'plans', 'believes', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'potential' and 'reasonably possible', variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. HSBC makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date of any forward-looking statements.

Written and/or oral forward-looking statements may also be made in the periodic reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, summary financial statements to shareholders, proxy statements, offering circulars and prospectuses, press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by HSBC's Directors, officers or employees to third parties, including financial analysts.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that a number of factors could cause actual results to differ, in some instances materially, from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statement.

These include, but are not limited to:

• changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, such as continuing or deepening recessions and fluctuations in employment beyond those factored into consensus forecasts; changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, including the accounting impact resulting from financial reporting in respect of hyperinflationary economies; volatility in equity markets; lack of liquidity in wholesale funding markets; illiquidity and downward price pressure in national real estate markets; adverse changes in central banks' policies with respect to the provision of liquidity support to financial markets; heightened market concerns over sovereign creditworthiness in over-indebted countries; adverse changes in the funding status of public or private defined benefit pensions; consumer perception as to the continuing availability of credit and price competition in the market segments we serve; and deviations from the market and economic assumptions that form the basis for our ECL measurements;

• changes in government policy and regulation, including the monetary, interest rate and other policies of central banks and other regulatory authorities; initiatives to change the size, scope of activities and interconnectedness of financial institutions in connection with the implementation of stricter regulation of financial institutions in key markets worldwide; revised capital and liquidity benchmarks which could serve to deleverage bank balance sheets and lower returns available from the current business model and portfolio mix; imposition of levies or taxes designed to change business mix and risk appetite; the conduct of business of financial institutions in serving their retail customers, corporate clients and counterparties; the standards of market conduct; the costs, effects and outcomes of product regulatory reviews, actions or litigation, including any additional compliance requirements; expropriation, nationalisation, confiscation of assets and changes in legislation relating to foreign ownership; changes in bankruptcy legislation in the principal markets in which we operate and the consequences thereof; general changes in government policy that may significantly influence investor decisions; extraordinary government actions as a result of current market turmoil; other unfavourable political or diplomatic developments producing social instability or legal uncertainty which in turn may affect demand for our products and services; and the effects of competition in the markets where we operate including increased competition from non-bank financial services companies, including securities firms; and

• factors specific to HSBC, including our success in adequately identifying the risks we face, such as the incidence of loan losses or delinquency, and managing those risks (through account management, hedging and other techniques). Effective risk management depends on, among other things, our ability through stress testing and other techniques to prepare for events that cannot be captured by the statistical models we use; our success in addressing operational, legal and regulatory, and litigation challenges; and other risks and uncertainties we identify in the 'top and emerging risks' on pages 69 to 73 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

For further information contact:

Investor Relations

Media Relations

UK - Richard O'Connor

UK - Gillian James

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7991 6590

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7992 0516

Hong Kong - Hugh Pye

Hong Kong - Patrick Humphris

Tel: +852 2822 4908

Tel: +852 2822 2052

Summary consolidated income statement

Quarter ended

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

Net interest income

7,468

7,709

7,456

Net fee income

3,026

2,827

3,507

Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis

2,881

2,046

2,384

Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance businesses, including related derivatives, measured at fair value through profit or loss

1,710

(1,444

)

(155

)

Changes in fair value of long-term debt and related derivatives

11

32

10

Changes in fair value of other financial instruments mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss

270

154

117

Gains less losses from financial investments

99

57

101

Dividend income

8

19

9

Net insurance premium income

3,296

2,171

3,078

Other operating income

850

372

41

Total operating income

19,619

13,943

16,548

Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders

(5,191

)

(1,248

)

(2,838

)

Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges

A summary of our current policies and practices for the management of credit risk is set out in 'Credit risk management' on page 79 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

Summary of credit risk

Summary of financial instruments to which the impairment requirements in IFRS 9 are applied

At 31 Mar 2019

At 31 Dec 2018

Gross carrying/nominal amount

Allowance for ECL1

Gross carrying/nominal amount

Allowance for

ECL1

Footnotes

$m

$m

$m

$m

Loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

1,013,829

(8,550

)

990,321

(8,625

)

- personal

404,797

(3,025

)

394,337

(2,947

)

- corporate and commercial

542,898

(5,372

)

534,577

(5,552

)

- non-bank financial institutions

66,134

(153

)

61,407

(126

)

Loans and advances to banks at amortised cost

71,594

(13

)

72,180

(13

)

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

619,969

(85

)

582,917

(55

)

- cash and balances at central banks

172,734

(3

)

162,845

(2

)

- items in the course of collection from other banks

5,808

-

5,787

-

- Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness

36,672

-

35,859

-

- reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading

227,029

-

242,804

-

- financial investments

63,628

(21

)

62,684

(18

)

- prepayments, accrued income and other assets

2

114,098

(61

)

72,938

(35

)

Total gross carrying amount on-balance sheet

1,705,392

(8,648

)

1,645,418

(8,693

)

Loans and other credit-related commitments

617,164

(341

)

592,008

(325

)

- personal

213,322

(12

)

207,351

(13

)

- corporate and commercial

268,763

(321

)

271,022

(305

)

- financial

135,079

(8

)

113,635

(7

)

Financial guarantees

22,577

(56

)

23,518

(93

)

- personal

920

(1

)

927

(1

)

- corporate and commercial

16,391

(50

)

17,355

(85

)

- financial

5,266

(5

)

5,236

(7

)

Total nominal amount off-balance sheet

3

639,741

(397

)

615,526

(418

)

2,345,133

(9,045

)

2,260,944

(9,111

)

Fair value

Memorandum allowance for ECL4

Fair value

Memorandum allowance for ECL4

$m

$m

$m

$m

Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI')

344,244

(80

)

343,110

(84

)

1 The total ECL is recognised in the loss allowance for the financial asset unless the total ECL exceeds the gross carrying amount of the financial asset, in which case the ECL is recognised as a provision.

2 Includes only those financial instruments that are subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9. 'Prepayments, accrued income and other assets' as presented within the summary consolidated balance sheet on page 16 includes both financial and non-financial assets.

3 Represents the maximum amount at risk should the contracts be fully drawn upon and clients default.

4 Debt instruments measured at FVOCI continue to be measured at fair value with the allowance for ECL as a memorandum item. Change in ECL is recognised in 'Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges' in the income statement.

Summary of credit risk (excluding debt instruments measured at FVOCI) by stage distribution and ECL coverage by industry sector at

31 March 2019

Gross carrying/nominal amount1

Allowance for ECL

ECL coverage %

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

%

%

%

%

Loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

934,547

65,931

13,016

335

1,013,829

(1,253

)

(2,231

)

(4,861

)

(205

)

(8,550

)

0.1

3.4

37.3

61.2

0.8

- personal

384,886

15,252

4,659

-

404,797

(540

)

(1,320

)

(1,165

)

-

(3,025

)

0.1

8.7

25.0

-

0.7

- corporate and commercial

485,914

48,496

8,154

334

542,898

(660

)

(867

)

(3,641

)

(204

)

(5,372

)

0.1

1.8

44.7

61.1

1.0

- non-bank financial institutions

63,747

2,183

203

1

66,134

(53

)

(44

)

(55

)

(1

)

(153

)

0.1

2.0

27.1

100.0

0.2

Loans and advances to banks at amortised cost

71,015

579

-

-

71,594

(11

)

(2

)

-

-

(13

)

-

0.3

-

-

-

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

617,857

2,014

97

1

619,969

(39

)

(8

)

(38

)

-

(85

)

-

0.4

39.2

-

-

Loan and other credit-related commitments

593,485

22,843

832

4

617,164

(144

)

(126

)

(71

)

-

(341

)

-

0.6

8.5

-

0.1

- personal

210,765

2,096

461

-

213,322

(11

)

(1

)

-

-

(12

)

-

-

-

-

-

- corporate and commercial

248,743

19,663

353

4

268,763

(126

)

(124

)

(71

)

-

(321

)

0.1

0.6

20.1

-

0.1

- financial

133,977

1,084

18

-

135,079

(7

)

(1

)

-

-

(8

)

-

0.1

-

-

-

Financial guarantees

19,919

2,448

207

3

22,577

(19

)

(26

)

(11

)

-

(56

)

0.1

1.1

5.3

-

0.2

- personal

917

2

1

-

920

(1

)

-

-

-

(1

)

0.1

-

-

-

0.1

- corporate and commercial

14,136

2,050

202

3

16,391

(17

)

(23

)

(10

)

-

(50

)

0.1

1.1

5.0

-

0.3

- financial

4,866

396

4

-

5,266

(1

)

(3

)

(1

)

-

(5

)

-

0.8

25.0

-

0.1

At 31 Mar 2019

2,236,823

93,815

14,152

343

2,345,133

(1,466

)

(2,393

)

(4,981

)

(205

)

(9,045

)

0.1

2.6

35.2

59.8

0.4

Stage 2 days past due analysis at 31 March 2019

Gross carrying/nominal amount1

Allowance for ECL

ECL coverage %

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

%

%

Loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

65,931

2,475

1,582

(2,231

)

(213

)

(230

)

3.4

8.6

14.5

- personal

15,252

1,836

1,336

(1,320

)

(191

)

(208

)

8.7

10.4

15.6

- corporate and commercial

48,496

634

246

(867

)

(22

)

(22

)

1.8

3.5

8.9

- non-bank financial institutions

2,183

5

-

(44

)

-

-

2.0

-

-

Loans and advances to banks at amortised cost

579

-

-

(2

)

-

-

0.3

-

-

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

2,014

16

38

(8

)

-

-

0.4

-

-

For footnotes, see page 19.

Summary of credit risk (excluding debt instruments measured at FVOCI) by stage distribution and ECL coverage by industry sector at

31 December 2018

Gross carrying/nominal amount1

Allowance for ECL

ECL coverage %

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI2

Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

%

%

%

%

Loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

915,188

61,786

13,023

324

990,321

(1,276

)

(2,108

)

(5,047

)

(194

)

(8,625

)

0.1

3.4

38.8

59.9

0.9

- personal

374,681

15,075

4,581

-

394,337

(534

)

(1,265

)

(1,148

)

-

(2,947

)

0.1

8.4

25.1

-

0.7

- corporate and commercial

481,262

44,779

8,212

324

534,577

(698

)

(812

)

(3,848

)

(194

)

(5,552

)

0.1

1.8

46.9

59.9

1.0

- non-bank financial institutions

59,245

1,932

230

-

61,407

(44

)

(31

)

(51

)

-

(126

)

0.1

1.6

22.2

-

0.2

Loans and advances to banks at amortised cost

71,873

307

-

-

72,180

(11

)

(2

)

-

-

(13

)

-

0.7

-

-

-

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

581,118

1,673

126

-

582,917

(27

)

(6

)

(22

)

-

(55

)

-

0.4

17.5

-

-

Loan and other credit-related commitments

569,250

21,839

912

7

592,008

(143

)

(139

)

(43

)

-

(325

)

-

0.6

4.7

-

0.1

- personal

205,183

1,760

408

-

207,351

(12

)

(1

)

-

-

(13

)

-

0.1

-

-

-

- corporate and commercial

251,478

19,034

503

7

271,022

(126

)

(136

)

(43

)

-

(305

)

0.1

0.7

8.5

-

0.1

- financial

112,589

1,045

1

-

113,635

(5

)

(2

)

-

-

(7

)

-

0.2

-

-

-

Financial guarantees

20,884

2,334

297

3

23,518

(19

)

(29

)

(45

)

-

(93

)

0.1

1.2

15.2

-

0.4

- personal

920

3

4

-

927

(1

)

-

-

-

(1

)

0.1

-

-

-

0.1

- corporate and commercial

15,011

2,053

288

3

17,355

(16

)

(25

)

(44

)

-

(85

)

0.1

1.2

15.3

-

0.5

- financial

4,953

278

5

-

5,236

(2

)

(4

)

(1

)

-

(7

)

-

1.4

20.0

-

0.1

At 31 Dec 2018

2,158,313

87,939

14,358

334

2,260,944

(1,476

)

(2,284

)

(5,157

)

(194

)

(9,111

)

0.1

2.6

35.9

58.1

0.4

Stage 2 days past due analysis at 31 December 2018

Gross carrying/nominal amount1

Allowance for ECL

ECL coverage %

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Of which:

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

Stage 2

1 to 29

DPD3

30 and > DPD3

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

%

%

%

Loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

61,786

2,554

1,914

(2,108

)

(204

)

(254

)

3.4

8.0

13.3

- personal

15,075

1,807

1,383

(1,265

)

(165

)

(220

)

8.4

9.1

15.9

- corporate and commercial

44,779

737

485

(812

)

(39

)

(34

)

1.8

5.3

7.0

- non-bank financial institutions

1,932

10

46

(31

)

-

-

1.6

-

-

Loans and advances to banks at amortised cost

307

-

-

(2

)

-

-

0.7

-

-

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

1,673

10

26

(6

)

-

-

0.4

-

-

1 Represents the maximum amount at risk should the contracts be fully drawn upon and clients default.

2 Purchased or originated credit-impaired ('POCI').

3 Days past due ('DPD'). Up-to-date accounts in Stage 2 are not shown in amounts presented above.

Reconciliation of changes in gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers including loan commitments and financial guarantees

The following disclosure provides a reconciliation by stage of the Group's gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers, including loan commitments and financial guarantees. The transfers of financial instruments represents the impact of stage transfers upon the gross carrying/nominal amount and associated allowance for ECL. The net remeasurement of ECL arising from stage transfers represents the increase or decrease due to these transfers, for example, moving from a 12-month (stage 1) to a lifetime (stage 2) ECL measurement basis. Net remeasurement excludes the underlying customer risk rating ('CRR')/probability of default ('PD') movements of the financial instruments transferring stage. This is captured, along with other credit quality movements in the 'changes in risk parameters - credit quality' line item. The 'Net new and further lending/repayments' represent the gross carrying/nominal amount and associated allowance ECL impact from volume movements within the Group's lending portfolio.

Reconciliation of changes in gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers including

loan commitments and financial guarantees

Non-credit impaired

Credit impaired

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

Gross carrying/ nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

Gross carrying/ nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

Gross carrying/ nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

Gross carrying/ nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

Gross carrying/ nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

At 1 Jan 2019

1,511,839

(1,449

)

86,241

(2,278

)

14,232

(5,135

)

334

(194

)

1,612,646

(9,056

)

Transfers of financial instruments:

(14,411

)

(90

)

13,330

227

1,081

(137

)

-

-

-

-

- transfers from stage 1 to stage 2

(24,962

)

93

24,962

(93

)

-

-

-

-

-

-

- transfers from stage 2 to stage 1

10,686

(186

)

(10,686

)

186

-

-

-

-

-

-

- transfers to stage 3

(225

)

10

(1,065

)

156

1,290

(166

)

-

-

-

-

- transfers from stage 3

90

(7

)

119

(22

)

(209

)

29

-

-

-

-

Net remeasurement of ECL arising from transfer of stage

-

128

-

(197

)

-

(5

)

-

-

-

(74

)

Net new and further lending/repayments

23,497

(46

)

(8,947

)

155

(555

)

266

9

(9

)

14,004

366

Changes in risk parameters - credit quality

-

37

-

(268

)

-

(694

)

-

(3

)

-

(928

)

Changes to model used for ECL calculation

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Assets written off

-

-

-

-

(700

)

693

-

-

(700

)

693

Foreign exchange

7,911

(11

)

530

(20

)

68

(6

)

(2

)

2

8,507

(35

)

Others

1,505

3

647

(4

)

(71

)

76

1

(1

)

2,082

74

At 31 Mar 2019

1,530,341

(1,428

)

91,801

(2,385

)

14,055

(4,942

)

342

(205

)

1,636,539

(8,960

)

ECL release/(charge) for the period

119

(310

)

(433

)

(12

)

(636

)

Recoveries

89

Others

(39

)

Total ECL charge for the period

(586

)

At 31 Mar 2019

3 months ended 31 Mar 2019

Gross carrying/nominal amount

Allowance for ECL

ECL charge

$m

$m

$m

As above

1,636,539

(8,960

)

(586

)

Other financial assets measured at amortised cost

619,969

(85

)

(1

)

Non-trading reverse purchase agreement commitments

88,625

-

-

Summary of financial instruments to which the impairment requirements in IFRS 9 are applied/ Summary consolidated income statement

2,345,133

(9,045

)

(587

)

Debt instruments measured at FVOCI

344,244

(80

)

2

Total allowance for ECL/total income statement ECL charge for the period

n/a

(9,125

)

(585

)

As shown in the above table, the allowance for ECL for loans and advances to customers and banks and relevant loan commitments and financial guarantees decreased $96m during the period from $9,056m at 31 December 2018 to $8,960m at 31 March 2019.

This decrease was primarily driven by:

• $366m relating to underlying net book volume movements, which included the ECL allowance associated with new originations, assets derecognised, and net further lending; and

• $74m relating to the net remeasurement impact of stage transfers; and

• foreign exchange and other movements of $39m.

The ECL charge for the period of $636m presented in the previous table comprises $928m relating to underlying credit quality changes, including the credit quality impact of financial instruments transferring between stage, $74m relating to the net remeasurement impact of stage transfers, partly offset by $366m relating to underlying net book volume movements.

Personal lending

Total personal lending for loans and advances to customers by stage distribution

Gross carrying amount

Allowance for ECL

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

By portfolio

First lien residential mortgages

291,520

6,472

2,990

300,982

(40

)

(67

)

(430

)

(537

)

- of which: interest only (including offset)

32,053

1,423

341

33,817

(4

)

(13

)

(92

)

(109

)

affordability (including US adjustable rate mortgages)

15,662

1,168

534

17,364

(3

)

(4

)

(5

)

(12

)

Other personal lending

93,366

8,780

1,669

103,815

(500

)

(1,253

)

(735

)

(2,488

)

- other

70,968

4,472

1,139

76,579

(222

)

(463

)

(466

)

(1,151

)

- credit cards

20,018

4,146

452

24,616

(272

)

(775

)

(249

)

(1,296

)

- second lien residential mortgages

926

132

73

1,131

(1

)

(11

)

(16

)

(28

)

- motor vehicle finance

1,454

30

5

1,489

(5

)

(4

)

(4

)

(13

)

At 31 Mar 2019

384,886

15,252

4,659

404,797

(540

)

(1,320

)

(1,165

)

(3,025

)

By geography

Europe

173,530

5,981

2,069

181,580

(105

)

(479

)

(457

)

(1,041

)

- of which: UK

143,376

4,614

1,375

149,365

(95

)

(449

)

(237

)

(781

)

Asia

161,540

5,472

711

167,723

(202

)

(366

)

(184

)

(752

)

- of which: Hong Kong

108,830

2,694

169

111,693

(70

)

(231

)

(37

)

(338

)

MENA

5,454

321

401

6,176

(59

)

(69

)

(263

)

(391

)

North America

38,076

2,567

1,239

41,882

(29

)

(95

)

(139

)

(263

)

Latin America

6,286

911

239

7,436

(145

)

(311

)

(122

)

(578

)

At 31 Mar 2019

384,886

15,252

4,659

404,797

(540

)

(1,320

)

(1,165

)

(3,025

)

By portfolio

First lien residential mortgages

284,103

6,286

2,944

293,333

(41

)

(62

)

(432

)

(535

)

- of which: interest only (including offset)

31,874

1,324

338

33,536

(3

)

(13

)

(92

)

(108

)

affordability (including US adjustable rate mortgages)

16,110

1,065

507

17,682

(3

)

(4

)

(5

)

(12

)

Other personal lending

90,578

8,789

1,637

101,004

(493

)

(1,203

)

(716

)

(2,412

)

- other

67,196

4,400

1,121

72,717

(214

)

(435

)

(465

)

(1,114

)

- credit cards

20,932

4,259

453

25,644

(272

)

(756

)

(233

)

(1,261

)

- second lien residential mortgages

1,022

100

57

1,179

(2

)

(9

)

(13

)

(24

)

- motor vehicle finance

1,428

30

6

1,464

(5

)

(3

)

(5

)

(13

)

At 31 Dec 2018

374,681

15,075

4,581

394,337

(534

)

(1,265

)

(1,148

)

(2,947

)

By geography

Europe

169,782

5,731

2,051

177,564

(105

)

(453

)

(450

)

(1,008

)

- of which: UK

139,237

4,308

1,315

144,860

(93

)

(421

)

(219

)

(733

)

Asia

155,661

5,413

693

161,767

(207

)

(353

)

(180

)

(740

)

- of which: Hong Kong

104,909

2,715

169

107,793

(71

)

(220

)

(39

)

(330

)

MENA

5,565

350

411

6,326

(61

)

(70

)

(263

)

(394

)

North America

38,283

2,552

1,186

42,021

(29

)

(90

)

(142

)

(261

)

Latin America

5,390

1,029

240

6,659

(132

)

(299

)

(113

)

(544

)

At 31 Dec 2018

374,681

15,075

4,581

394,337

(534

)

(1,265

)

(1,148

)

(2,947

)

Wholesale lending

Total wholesale lending for loans and advances to banks and customers at amortised cost

CET1 capital as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

124.9

120.0

122.1

121.8

128.6

3

Tier 1 capital

151.8

147.1

149.3

147.1

157.1

4

Tier 1 capital as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

150.9

146.1

148.3

146.1

156.1

5

Total capital

177.8

173.2

178.1

176.6

185.2

6

Total capital as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

176.9

172.2

177.1

175.6

184.2

Risk-weighted assets ('RWAs') ($bn)

7

Total RWAs

879.5

865.3

862.7

865.5

894.4

8

Total RWAs as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

878.9

864.7

862.1

864.9

893.8

Capital ratios (%)

1

9

CET1

14.3

14.0

14.3

14.2

14.5

10

CET1 as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

14.2

13.9

14.2

14.1

14.4

11

Tier 1

17.3

17.0

17.3

17.0

17.6

12

Tier 1 as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

17.2

16.9

17.2

16.9

17.5

13

Total capital

20.2

20.0

20.7

20.4

20.7

14

Total capital as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied

20.1

19.9

20.6

20.3

20.6

Additional CET1 buffer requirements as a percentage of RWA (%)

Capital conservation buffer requirement

2.50

1.88

1.88

1.88

1.88

Countercyclical buffer requirement

0.67

0.56

0.45

0.46

0.34

Bank G-SIB and/or D-SIB additional requirements

2.00

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

Total of bank CET1 specific buffer requirements

5.17

3.94

3.83

3.84

3.72

Total capital requirement (%)

Total capital requirement

2

11.0

10.9

11.5

11.5

11.5

CET1 available after meeting the bank's minimum capital requirements

3

8.1

7.9

7.8

7.7

8.0

Leverage ratio

4

15

Total leverage ratio exposure measure ($bn)

2,735.2

2,614.9

2,676.4

2,664.1

2,707.9

16

Leverage ratio (%)

5.4

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.6

17

Leverage ratio as if IFRS 9 transitional arrangements had not been applied (%)

5.4

5.5

5.4

5.3

5.5

Liquidity coverage ratio ('LCR')

5

Total high-quality liquid assets ($bn)

535.4

567.2

533.2

540.2

533.1

Total net cash outflow ($bn)

374.8

368.7

334.1

341.7

338.5

LCR ratio (%)

6

142.9

153.8

159.6

158.1

157.5

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant European Banking Authority ('EBA') template where applicable and where there is a value.

For footnotes, see page 28.

Own funds disclosure

At

31 Mar

31 Dec

2019

2018

Ref*

$m

$m

6

Common equity tier 1 capital before regulatory adjustments

159,001

155,483

28

Total regulatory adjustments to common equity tier 1

(33,199

)

(34,461

)

29

Common equity tier 1 capital

125,802

121,022

36

Additional tier 1 capital before regulatory adjustments

26,106

26,180

43

Total regulatory adjustments to additional tier 1 capital

(60

)

(60

)

44

Additional tier 1 capital

26,046

26,120

45

Tier 1 capital

151,848

147,142

51

Tier 2 capital before regulatory adjustments

27,112

26,729

57

Total regulatory adjustments to tier 2 capital

(1,160

)

(633

)

58

Tier 2 capital

25,952

26,096

59

Total capital

177,800

173,238

60

Total risk-weighted assets

879,485

865,318

Capital ratios

%

%

61

Common equity tier 1 ratio

14.3

14.0

62

Tier 1 ratio

17.3

17.0

63

Total capital ratio

20.2

20.0

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant EBA template.

Capital

At 31 March 2019, our common equity tier 1 ('CET1') capital ratio increased to 14.3% from 14.0% at 31 December 2018. This was primarily due to CET1 capital growth during the quarter and was partly offset by the $14.2bn rise in RWAs.

CET1 capital increased by $4.8bn during the quarter, mainly as a result of:

• capital generation of $2.0bn through profits, net of cash and scrip dividends;

• favourable foreign currency translation differences of $0.9bn;

• a $0.8bn increase in FVOCI reserve; and

• higher than expected scrip take-up in the final dividend, which added $0.3bn.

Leverage

Leverage ratio

At

31 Mar

31 Dec

2019

2018

Ref*

$bn

$bn

20

Tier 1 capital

148.3

143.5

21

Total leverage ratio exposure

2,735.2

2,614.9

%

%

22

Leverage ratio

5.4

5.5

EU-23

Choice of transitional arrangements for the definition of the capital measure

Fully phased-in

Fully phased-in

UK leverage ratio exposure - quarterly average

2,521.9

2,464.4

%

%

UK leverage ratio - quarterly average

5.9

5.8

UK leverage ratio - quarter end

5.9

6.0

* The references identify the lines prescribed in the EBA template.

Our leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the Capital Requirements Directive and Regulation ('CRD IV') was 5.4% at
31 March 2019, down from 5.5% at 31 December 2018. The increase in exposure was primarily due to growth in customer lending, trading and other assets.

The Group's UK leverage ratio at 31 March 2019 was 5.9%. This measure excludes qualifying central bank balances from the calculation of exposure.

At 31 March 2019, our UK minimum leverage ratio requirement of 3.25% was supplemented by an additional leverage ratio buffer of 0.7% and a countercyclical leverage ratio buffer of 0.2%. These additional buffers translated into capital values of $17.7bn and $5.9bn respectively. We exceeded these leverage requirements.

Risk-weighted assets

Overview of RWAs (OV1)

31 Mar

31 Dec

31 Mar

2019

2018

2019

RWAs

RWAs

Capital
requirement7

Ref*

Footnotes

$bn

$bn

$bn

1

Credit risk (excluding counterparty credit risk)

649.8

638.1

52.0

2

- standardised approach

130.1

128.6

10.4

3

- foundation internal ratings based ('IRB') approach

30.8

30.5

2.5

4

- advanced IRB approach

488.9

479.0

39.1

6

Counterparty credit risk

50.0

47.2

4.0

7

- mark-to-market

27.0

24.7

2.2

10

- internal model method ('IMM')

16.3

16.2

1.3

11

- risk exposure amount for contributions to the default fund of a central counterparty

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant EBA template where applicable and where there is a value.

For footnotes, see page 28.

RWAs by global business

RBWM

CMB

GB&M

GPB

Corporate
Centre

Total

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

Credit risk

99.2

301.1

173.2

13.8

115.9

703.2

Counterparty credit risk

-

-

48.3

0.2

1.6

50.1

Market risk

-

-

32.5

-

2.6

35.1

Operational risk

27.3

24.3

31.5

2.8

5.2

91.1

At 31 Mar 2019

126.5

325.4

285.5

16.8

125.3

879.5

RWAs by geographical region

Europe

Asia

MENA

North
America

Latin
America

Total

Footnotes

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

Credit risk

225.7

296.1

46.7

104.0

30.7

703.2

Counterparty credit risk

29.5

9.6

1.1

8.6

1.3

50.1

Market risk

9

23.8

21.6

1.7

9.5

1.7

35.1

Operational risk

27.3

39.5

6.8

11.7

5.8

91.1

At 31 Mar 2019

306.3

366.8

56.3

133.8

39.5

879.5

For footnotes, see page 28.

RWA movement by global business by key driver

Credit risk, counterparty credit risk and operational risk

RBWM

CMB

GB&M

GPB

Corporate

Centre

Market risk

Total RWAs

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

RWAs at 1 Jan 2019

126.9

321.2

248.6

16.8

116.0

35.8

865.3

Asset size

1.4

4.2

5.0

0.1

1.5

(0.7

)

11.5

Asset quality

(0.3

)

0.5

(1.3

)

-

0.9

-

(0.2

)

Model updates

(0.1

)

-

(0.1

)

-

(0.1

)

-

(0.3

)

Methodology and policy

(1.8

)

(2.5

)

0.2

(0.1

)

4.2

-

-

Foreign exchange movements

0.4

2.0

0.6

-

0.2

-

3.2

Total RWA movement

(0.4

)

4.2

4.4

-

6.7

(0.7

)

14.2

RWAs at 31 Mar 2019

126.5

325.4

253.0

16.8

122.7

35.1

879.5

RWA movement by geographical region by key driver

Credit risk, counterparty credit risk and operational risk

Europe

Asia

MENA

North
America

Latin
America

Market risk

Total RWAs

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

RWAs at 1 Jan 2019

274.1

340.6

54.8

123.1

36.9

35.8

865.3

Asset size

5.0

5.4

0.3

0.3

1.2

(0.7

)

11.5

Asset quality

0.7

-

(0.3

)

(0.3

)

(0.3

)

-

(0.2

)

Model updates

(0.1

)

-

-

(0.2

)

-

-

(0.3

)

Methodology and policy

0.8

(1.8

)

(0.1

)

0.9

0.2

-

-

Foreign exchange movements

2.0

1.0

(0.1

)

0.5

(0.2

)

-

3.2

Total RWA movement

8.4

4.6

(0.2

)

1.2

0.9

(0.7

)

14.2

RWAs at 31 Mar 2019

282.5

345.2

54.6

124.3

37.8

35.1

879.5

RWAs

Risk-weighted assets ('RWAs') increased by $14.2bn during 1Q19, including an increase of $3.2bn due to foreign currency translation differences. The $11.0bn increase (excluding foreign currency translation differences) was primarily due to $11.5bn asset size growth during the quarter, which was offset by reductions of $0.3bn from model updates and a $0.2bn decrease due to improved asset quality.

Asset size

The $11.5bn growth during 1Q19 was mainly due to:

• lending growth of $4.2bn in CMB and $1.5bn in GB&M, mainly in Asia and Europe, and $1.4bn in RBWM, mainly in Asian mortgage lending;

• growth of $3.5bn in GB&M counterparty credit risks in Europe, largely in the form of securities financing transactions, new derivative trades, and mark-to-market movements; and

• a $1.7bn increase in RWAs as a result of an increase in the value of significant holdings in Corporate Centre.

This was partly offset by:

• a $0.7bn fall in market risk mainly due to a reduction in equity risk and exposures in Europe and Asia.

Model updates

The $0.3bn reduction in RWAs mainly resulted from the application of IRB models to receivables finance in North America.

Methodology and policy

Movements largely comprised a $4.5bn increase in tangible fixed assets within Corporate Centre as a result of implementing IFRS 16 'Leases' with effect from 1 January 2019, reflecting the recognition of right of use assets for assets formerly under operating leases, offset by a $4.5bn reduction in RWAs due to management initiatives, most notably in CMB and GB&M.

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant EBA template where applicable and where there is a value.

For footnotes, see page 28.

RWAs under the IRB approach increased by $10.2bn in the quarter, including an increase of $3.1bn due to foreign currency translation differences. The $7.1bn increase (excluding foreign currency translation differences) was primarily due to asset size growth of $5.7bn and methodology and policy driven increases of $1.6bn during the quarter.

Asset size

The $5.7bn growth in RWAs during 1Q19 was mainly driven by lending growth in CMB, GB&M and RBWM, mostly in Asia and Europe.

Methodology and policy

The $1.6bn increase primarily comprised:

• the $3.9bn impact of recognising right of use assets under operating leases upon implementation of IFRS 16 'Leases'; and

• a $0.8bn increase due to internal policy updates.

This was partly offset by:

• a $3.1bn reduction in RWAs due to management initiatives, most notably in CMB.

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant EBA template where applicable and where there is a value.

For footnotes, see page 28.

RWAs under the IMM decreased by $0.1bn. Methodology and policy changes, which included increased recognition of hedging, reduced RWAs by $0.6bn, offsetting asset size growth of $0.5bn due to increased exposures.

RWA flow statements of market risk exposures under the IMA (MR2-B)

VaR

Stressed
VaR

IRC

Other

Total RWAs

Capital
requirement7

Ref*

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

$bn

1

RWAs at 1 Jan 2019

7.1

12.1

6.4

4.5

30.1

2.4

2

Movement in risk levels

(0.4

)

(1.4

)

2.5

(1.1

)

(0.4

)

-

8

RWAs at 31 Mar 2019

6.7

10.7

8.9

3.4

29.7

2.4

* The references in this table identify the lines prescribed in the relevant EBA template where applicable and where there is a value.

For footnotes, see page 28.

RWAs under the IMA decreased by $0.4bn due to:

• VaR/Stressed VaR reductions of $1.8bn as a result of lower equity correlation and reduced exposure in principal Asian and European indices; and

• reductions in positions under Other, which reduced RWAs by $1.1bn.

These movements were partly offset by a $2.5bn increase in IRC RWAs as a result of increased sovereign exposure.

Footnotes to capital, leverage and risk-weighted assets

1

Capital figures and ratios are reported on the CRD IV transitional basis for additional tier 1 and tier 2 capital in accordance with articles 484-92 of the Capital Requirements Regulation.

2

Total capital requirement is defined as the sum of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2A capital requirements set by the PRA.

3

The minimum requirements represent the total capital requirement to be met by CET1.

The EU's regulatory transitional arrangements for IFRS 9 in article 473a of the Capital Requirements Regulation do not apply to liquidity coverage measures.

6

LCR is calculated as at the end of each period rather than using average values.

7

'Capital requirement' represents the minimum capital charge set at 8% of RWAs by article 92 of the Capital Requirements Regulation.

8

On 1 January 2019, a new securitisation framework came into force in the EU for new transactions entered into on or after that date. Existing positions are subject to 'grandfathering' provisions and will transfer to the new framework on 1 January 2020. Our exposures subject to the approaches under the new framework at 31 March 2019 include $293m under the external ratings-based approach, $651m under the internal assessment approach, and $293m under the standardised approach.

9

RWAs are non-additive across geographical regions due to market risk diversification effects within the Group.